WEEK 4 ART + MEDTECH
My major in bioengineering completely immerses me in designing innovative medical technologies to health problems. Art, to me, has been completely separate from this process or anything involving medicine and health. However, this week’s lecture and readings have given me a deeper understanding how medical innovations impact art and how art plays a pivotal role in developing new medical technologies.


Even centuries ago in ancient times, medicine was revealed through art. As Dr. Vesna points out in lecture, the process of dissection and mummification in ancient Egypt led to new understandings of the human body. Though based in an artistic ritual ceremony, Egyptian mummification led to developments in medicine. Continuing on in history, anatomical drawings by artists played a crucial role in documenting the human body.

Ancient Egyptian canopic jars to house internal organs during the mummification process (The British Museum)

Jumping in time to more recently, novel imaging techniques have transformed medical care. Casini draws the connection between science and arts in the invention of the MRI, stating that MRI “enables scientists and artists to depict the unseen.” She argues the artistic possibilities with the MRI and the development of artwork incorporating MRI. She mentions how the Visible Human Project has attracted public attention outside of the medical world, illustrating the strong fascination with the human body among scientists and artists alike. In addition, she sees brain imaging as a source of a self-portrait and how brain MRI’s offer philosophical views on defining one’s identity.

Head of male cadaver the The Visible Human Project (YouTube)

MRI scan of the head (brainfacts.org)

Plastic surgery is another way medical technologies have impacted art, specifically looking at Orlan. Orlan uses body performance art to display plastic surgeries to ultimately challenge our perceptions of beauty. In a documentary, her provocative displays of surgical techniques on her own body depict how our bodies are being taken apart and re-constructed with the increasing popularity of plastic surgery.

Snapshot of Orlan's video depicting plastic surgery (UCSB)

Art, in addition, has played a crucial role in the inventions of new medical treatments and technologies. After seeing the impact that pictures made on human emotions, Gromala started to work on merging interactive art, multi media forms, and immersive virtual reality to relieve chronic pain. She uses her scientific understanding of inner senses and connects that with art’s ability to transform one’s mind. Additionally, prosthetics, a field I hope to get into, are at the forefront of new medical technologies and require the collaboration between artists and scientists alike.

Diana Gromala with immersive virtual reality for pain (Canada's Digital Media Network for Centres of Excellence)

Prosthetic arm developed by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (WUTC)

 References:
Casini, Silvia. "Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as Mirror and Portrait: MRI Configurations between Science and the Arts." Configurations 19.1 (2011): 73-99. Web. 30 Apr. 2017.

Gromala, Diane. TEDxAmericanRiviera - Diane Gromala - Curative Powers of Wet, Raw Beauty [Video file]. Dec. 7, 2011. TEDx Talks. Lecture. 

“Orlan - Carnal Art (2001) Documentary.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 13 March 2011. Web. 30 April 2017.

UC Online Program. “Medicine pt1.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 21 April 2012. Web. 30 April 2017.


UC Online Program. “Medicine pt3.” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 22 April 2012. Web. 30 April 2017.





Comments

  1. Pui Ieng LeiMay 1, 2017 at 7:19 PM

    I was same as you and never imagined the relations between art and medtech. The reason is that it is easy for us to neglect the fact that human body itself is an art, that we are art. Actually it is a very sophisticated art in that secrets in human body still exist after so many centuries of research. After this lecture, I would say that human body is a type of art that integrates science the most because without advanced medical technology, we will never find out the truth hidden in our body.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMay 3, 2017 at 7:29 PM

    I think it is so interesting that the MRI offers a philosophical in relation to defining one's identity -- before this class I always assumed that medical technology was strictly for understanding biology. I think that the spread of the multiple of uses of medtech will continue to engage other professionals and further it's capabilities even more.

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